The Pierre Educational Foundation recently awarded $17,100 in scholarships to seven graduating seniors of T.F. Riggs. Seven scholarships are awarded on behalf of families who have given endowments to the Foundation so Pierre students can continue their education at the next level with financial support. “The 2020 graduating class is an outstanding group of students. Their academic achievements are to be commended. We are appreciative of the endowments that these families have provided for these scholarships.” Janelle Toman, Pierre Educational Foundation President.
The 2020 scholarships winners included:
Charles “Lindy” and Shirley Feeney Scholarship ($1,000) – Cobey Carr
Herbert and Irene Emde Family Scholarship ($1,000) – Max Sevier
The Pierre Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship ($1,000) – Kamden Carter
Mortenson Family Scholarship ($1,600) – Mackenzie Sarratt
Spilde Family Scholarship ($2,500) – Max Sevier (College/University)
Spilde Family Scholarship ($2,500) – LaToya Bruns (Vocational or Technical)
James and Gertrude Mueller Scholarship Fund ($3,500) – Natalie Mohr
Schliessmann Family Scholarship ($4,000) – Deni Zeeb
Charles “Lindy” and Shirley Feeney Scholarship: The Charles “Lindy” and Shirley Feeney Scholarship is awarded to a dedicated track athlete to assist with the costs of higher education. The recipient of the scholarship must have participated in track for at least three years, show determination, hard work and perseverance in the sport and be accepted to a college or technical school. Cobey Carr was awarded this year’s $1,000 Charles “Lindy” and Shirley Feeney Scholarship. Carr excelled in both football and track and will continue both at Dakota Wesleyan University where he will major in psychology. Carr served as a Gov-to-Gov Freshman Mentor, pitching/outfield coach, Little League baseball coach and worked with Pierre Area Referral Service Meal Packing.
Herbert and Irene Emde Family Scholarship: The Emde Family Scholarship is awarded to a T.F. Riggs High School graduating senior who is pursuing a degree in education. The intent of the $1,000 scholarship is to support a student’s efforts to become a teacher in an elementary, middle school, high school or university setting. Max Sevier was awarded the 2020 Emde Scholarship. Sevier plans to attend the University of South Dakota, majoring in history education and Lakota studies. In addition to his academic achievements, Sevier was captain of the school’s LNI Knowledge and Quiz bow team, Gov 2 Gov mentor and a four year member of the chamber choir. Sevier volunteers with PARS, packing and delivering holiday meals and helps with local powwows.
The Pierre Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship:
The volunteers of the Pierre Hospital Auxiliary recently established a new scholarship fund to support students pursing a degree in a medical field at a college, university or technical school. The Pierre Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship to the selected student. The inaugural 2020 Pierre Hospital Auxiliary scholarship was awarded to Kamden Carter. Carter plans to attend Lake Area Technical Institute to purse a degree in nursing. In addition to her academic achievements, Carter is involved with National Honor Society and the Gov 2 Gov mentor program. Carter participates in softball, indoor soccer and works at Edgewood Assisted Living as a personal Care Assistant.
Mortenson Family Scholarship: The Mortenson Family Scholarship is awarded to a T.F. Riggs Native American senior who demonstrates academic achievement, a financial need, and a desire to pursue a post-secondary education at a college or technical school. The scholarship awards up to $1,600 to the recipient. Mackenzie Sarratt is the 2020 Mortenson Family Scholarship recipient. Mackenzie plans to attend the University of South Dakota to pursue her goal of becoming a surgeon.
Spilde Family Scholarship: The Spilde Family Scholarship was established to assist a student with the costs of his/her higher education cost. This $2,500 scholarship is made to a student who will be attending a South Dakota college or university. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist a dedicated student in his/her education costs. There is one scholarship for a student attending a college/university and one scholarship for a student attending a vocational or technical school. The 2020 Spilde Family Scholarship recipient is Max Sevier. Sevier plans to attend the University of South Dakota as a history education and Lakota studies major. The 2020 Spilde Family Scholarship recipient is LaToya Bruns. Bruns plans to attend Western Dakota Technical Institute to study criminal justice. Both Sevier and Bruns were selected due to their financial need.
James and Gertrude Mueller Scholarship Fund: The James and Gertrude Mueller Scholarship was established in 1997 by Mrs. Gertrude Mueller to recognize a T.F. Riggs senior who intends to enter the medical field. The scholarship committee considers the scholastic achievement, work experience, community contributions, financial need, and college plans and goals related to pursuing a medical career in selecting the recipient. The scholarship award is $3,500. Natalie Mohr is the 2020 recipient of the James and Gertrude Mueller Scholarship. Natalie maintained a 4.0 grade point average over the course of her education. She plans to attend either Augustana University or the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities to pursue a degree in biology or psychology. Her goal is to be accepted into her medical school of choice, become a doctor, and work in a hospital where she will have a positive medical and social impact on all of her patients. In addition to her academic achievements, Natalie was active in the Governor to Governor mentor and volunteer program, National Honor Society, student athletic training, student government, volleyball co-captain and band during her time in high school.
Schliessmann Family Scholarship: The Schliessmann Scholarship is awarded to a T.F. Riggs High School senior who will be pursing a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) from an accredited college or university. The intent of this scholarship is to support a student’s efforts to pursue a career in a STEM filed. The $1,000 scholarship is renewable for three additional years for a total scholarship award of $4,000. The 2020 Schliessmann Scholarship was awarded to Deni Zeeb. Zeeb plans to attend Black Hills State University, pursing a pre-medicine degree with future plans to attend medical school. Zeeb’s academic career included a rigorous schedule of STEM coursework and AP classes. It is apparent that her strong work ethic, leadership skills and the foundation that she has already laid in the STEM filed will be extremely successful in her pursuit to become a doctor.
The Pierre Educational Foundation also recently recognized 57 educators nominated for the 2020 BankWest Educator of Excellence. The nominees were selected by the 2020 Scholars of Excellence. Nominations are based on the educator’s impact on the education and lives of the students. The winner of the 2020 BankWest Educator of Excellence was Vasthi Gibson, a Spanish teacher at T.F. Riggs High School. Gibson was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the students in the Pierre School District with a $1,500 continuing education award sponsored by BankWest.
